Crissy Field & Warming Hut

Crissy Field is a restored waterfront park in the Presidio that offers what may be the single best Golden Gate Bridge view in San Francisco, paired with a sandy beach, flat promenade, tidal marsh wildlife, and kite-flying winds that make it a perfect family destination. While tourists crowd the bridge walkway and Fisherman's Wharf, families who know the city come here for a relaxed, free, and spectacularly scenic outing.

The park stretches along the bay shore from the Marina Green to Fort Point, directly beneath the Golden Gate Bridge's south tower. The centerpiece is a mile-long paved promenade that runs from the east parking lot to the Warming Hut at the west end. This path is flat, wide, and stroller-friendly, passing through a restored tidal marsh, across a sandy beach, and ending with the bridge looming overhead.

The walk is stunning in any weather and at any time of day, but sunset here is particularly special.

The beach at Crissy Field is wide and sandy with hard-packed sand near the water -- perfect for running, kite flying, and sandcastle building. The views are extraordinary: the Golden Gate Bridge fills the western sky, Angel Island and Alcatraz sit in the bay to the east, and the Marin Headlands rise across the water. On clear days, you can see container ships passing under the bridge.

Windsurfers and kitesurfers launch from the beach and provide high-speed entertainment for spectators.

A critical safety note: the open bay water at Crissy Field has strong currents and is extremely cold (50-55 degrees year-round). Do not swim or let children play in the bay water beyond ankle depth. The tidal marsh area at the east end, however, has shallow, enclosed pools where toddlers can safely wade and observe small fish and crabs.

The Warming Hut at the west end of the promenade is a beloved stopping point. This small wooden cafe serves coffee, hot chocolate, pastries, and light snacks. The gift shop carries excellent nature books, kites, and locally made gifts. On cold or foggy days, the warm interior with its picture windows facing the bridge is a perfect rest stop.

For an extended adventure, continue past the Warming Hut on the trail to Fort Point, a Civil War-era brick fortress sitting directly beneath the Golden Gate Bridge's south anchorage. The fort is free to enter (open Friday-Sunday) and offers a mind-boggling perspective looking straight up at the bridge's underside. Kids are awed by the scale.

Crissy Field is a year-round destination, though San Francisco's warmest, clearest weather typically comes in September and October. Afternoons are windier than mornings -- great for kite flying but not ideal for very young children who get cold quickly. Bring layers regardless of the forecast; the waterfront is always 5-10 degrees cooler and windier than inland neighborhoods.

Parking is free in several lots along Mason Street and at the east beach. Weekend afternoons can fill up, but you can usually find a spot if you arrive before noon. The park is also accessible via the Presidio shuttle (free) from downtown transit connections.